Cyclist dies after trying to avoid swooping magpie

An elderly New South Wales man has died after trying to avoid a swooping magpie.

The 76-year-old was riding along an off-road path in the Wollongong suburb of Woonona at around 8:15am on Sunday morning when a magpie swooped towards him. Witnesses report that the man rode off the path to avoid the bird, but in doing so collided with a fence post. He was thrown to the ground where he sustained serious head injuries.

The man was treated at the scene before being airlifted to Sydney’s St. George Hospital in a critical condition. He died on Sunday evening.

The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is native to Australia and is a frequent sight in urban areas. During breeding season — from late August to mid October — male magpies will sometimes swoop pedestrians and cyclists in order to warn off would-be predators.